122 Live Pangolins Seized in Thailand, One in Zimbabwe

Rhishja CotaAfrica, Asia, Mammals, Pangolins, Southeast Asia
Pangolin trafficking is at a crisis level, with an estimated 105,410 — 210,820 pangolins have been plundered from the wild in Asia and Africa since 2011.
Pangolin trafficking is at a crisis level, with an estimated 105,410 — 210,820 pangolins plundered from the wild in Asia and Africa since 2011. Screenshot via New Tang Dynasty TV.

Thai customs officials intercepted the smuggling of 122 live pangolins, which were stowed away in sacks inside an SUV, and believed to be headed for China.

It is thought that the pangolins were captured in Indonesia and/or Malaysia. The incident occurred in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, southwest of Bangkok, on November 22. Two Thai nationals were arrested, according to Jewish News One. The pangolins were taken to a nearby Thai national park for rehabilitation before being released back into the wild.

Meanwhile, in Zimbabwe, three women were taken into custody for the illegal possession of a pangolin. The pangolin was turned over to Parks and Wildlife Management. Zimbabwe’s Daily News Live identified the trio as Future Bapiro, of Old Highfield, Daisy Muripi Manjengwa, of Highfield and Constance Kajasi, of Budiriro 3.

The incident reportedly occurred in Borrowdale, a suburb north of Harare.

Pangolin scales are made of keratin, like hair and nails, and are consumed in traditional Chinese medicine, although the purported health benefits are unproven. Pangolins –and pangolin fetuses — are also eaten in China. An estimated 105,410 — 210,820 pangolins have been plundered from Asia and Africa since 2011.

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I am the founder of Annamiticus and I have been researching and writing about wildlife trafficking issues since 2009. I also founded World Pangolin Day in 2012. I am the author of USAID Wildlife Asia's Pangolin Species Identification Guide: A Rapid Assessment Tool for Field and Desk. I co-facilitated and was a presenter at the USAID Wildlife Asia Pangolin Care Workshop. At the 4th Regional Dialogue on Combating Trafficking of Wild Fauna and Flora, I facilitated the species roundtables on pangolins. I have trekked with forest rangers in Cambodia, journeyed to the streets of Hanoi to research the illegal wildlife trade, and to the rainforests of Sumatra and Java to document the world’s rarest rhinos. At CITES meetings, I collaborate with colleagues from around the world to lobby in favor of protecting endangered species. I hosted the Behind the Schemes podcast and am the author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine. I enjoy music, desert gardening, herping, reading, creating, and walking with my dogs. Check out my t-shirts and stickers at snoots + teefers.